R O T O R U A V I N TA G E A N D V E T E R A N CAR CLUB ANNUAL ROTORUA LAKEFRONT CAR SHOW
Rotorua may not have much in the way of sand, sea, surf, and hordes of beachgoers crisping themselves under the merciless sun, but it does have a magnificent annual car show, held at the Lakefront Village Green.
Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club ( VCC) chairman David Tomlinson was very happy with the turnout, which he estimated at more than 350 vehicles. This was another record and was guaranteed to prevent onset of vehicle-inspection ennui.
As has become the custom, drivers were asked for a gold-coin donation. Given the turnout, St John Ambulance Rotorua will be recipients of a very generous cheque. St John always has a selection of old and new ambulances on display, and this year encouraged all to inspect the on-board equipment and marvel at the high-tech command vehicle ready to coordinate on-site emergency services.
As the Village Green is vast and cars were arriving throughout the morning, it was hard to keep track of exactly what was on display. Many car clubs had taken advantage of the lovely summer’s day to attend en masse, and these included Zephyr Zodiac Club Hamilton, Bay of Plenty Ford Club, Humber and Hillman Car Club, Tauranga Mini Owners Club, Rotorua Mini Car Club, Vanden Plas Owners Club, Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Bay of Plenty Rover, Jaguar Drivers Club, Bay of Plenty Triumph Register, Mustang Owners, Cadillac La Salle Club, American Muscle Car Club, and Alfa Romeo Owners Club. Of course, there were many cars belonging to local VCC members and neighbouring clubs, as well as many other interesting and unique vehicles, including bikes and commercials.
The end seemed to come too soon when drivers began firing up their magnificent machines and departing. My assistants pointed out that the show was scheduled to finish at 2pm, that we had been circulating since 9am, and that they were hungry and thirsty. The only thing left to do was to wander across to Eat Street and settle in to a very late lunch at the first appealing eatery we came to.
Replete and strolling back to the green to pick up our car, we were astonished at how absolutely empty the grounds were. It was as though 350 interesting vehicles had never been there such a short time before. Presumably, the green will quietly wait there growing grass until next January, when hundreds of classy vehicles will descend to enthral us all once again.